Metal-melting furnace or retort.



M. GOLDBERGBR. METAL MELTING IURNAGE OR RETORT.

1 APPLICATION FILED AUG'.11,I911.. Jan. 19 9 3 SHEETS-*SEEE M. GGLDBERGER.

METAL MELTING PURNAGE 0R RBTORT.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJI, 1911.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

3y SHEETS-SHEET 2.

imam/or 42 1 i 77cuw/a e. Go eref )ula Qimmy:

M. G0LDBBRGER. METAL MBLTING FURNAGE 0R RETORT.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG.11, 1911.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

73 74. Wauu/ce Glozclbe Tg e5 'fren srarns ramena ernten- MAURICE GOLDBERGEB., OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

METAL-MELTING FURNACE 0R RETGRT.

Maanen.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MAURICE GOLDBERGER,

a citizen of the United States, and resident vice non-oxidizing 1n its operation.

Another object is to provide means by l which the interior of the furnace or retort is uniformly heated, thereby prolonging the life of the Crucible or other metal container andthe lining of the furnace or retort.

Another object is to provide means byl which the heat within the device is retained and not wasted or lost upon opening the device for the insertion of subsequent charges. A Another object 'is to provide means by which sufficient metal may be placed within the device to ll the Crucible when melted, the portion of the metal which is outside the Crucible 'being super-heated by the heat of the device and melted as it passes into the crucible 'and without coming into contact with the hot gases of the furnace. Y Another object is to provide means .by which 'the point of contact of the flame with the furnace or retort lining may be varied in order to prolong the life of said lining.

' My'invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings Figure l is a vertical section of a furnace or retort constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view ofthe same partially brolren away; Fig. 3, a vertical sectlon of a tilting furnace-or retort constructed according to my invention; Fig. 4f, a plan view of the saine; Fig. 5, a vertical section of a modified form of tilting furnace or retort provided with my invention and l? ig. 6, a plan view of the same.

In the drawings (Fig. l) the furnace or retort consists of a cylindrical shell l with in'wh'ic'hii's afining of ire briclr or other siiitahlefirelprooing material 2. 'A ring Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 19, 1915.

Application inea Au'gust 11, 1911. serial No. 643,502.

or cap 3 forms the top of the furnace or retort and plate 4 forms the bottom. Suitable bolts (not shown) pass through the top ring, the lining and the bottom plate, by. which the ring and plate are secured to the lining. Near the bottom of the lining are two diverging ports which extend through the lining 2 and shell 1 at opposite sides of the same. One port 5 only isV shown in Fig. 1,and-two ports 35 are shown in Fig. 3. These ports are prefer` ably inclined downwardly toward the interior of the furnace or retort and are tangentially arranged relative to the inner periphery of the lining. In these portsare two oil burner tubes 6 which, at their outerends, are connected to a two-way valve or other suitable device 7 by which the flow of oil from the supply pi e 8 to the two burners is controlled. Va ve 7 is adapted tov cut offeither one of the burners and turn on the other at will. The flame from either burner strikes the bottom and lower portion of the side ofthe lining and, of course, rises upwardly. A horizontal annular flue 9 is arranged in the upper part of the lining and has communication with the exterior air through portlO formed in the lining 2 and sh'ell 1. A suitable number of ports l1 connect the interior of the furnace or retort with iue 9, said ports being formed in lining 2. The heat and fiame rising. in the interior of the Adevice exhaust through ports 11 into horizontal flue 9 from which exhaust occurs to outside air through port 10, thereby producing a steady, uni-l form draft at all points about the periphery of the interior of lining 2, with the attendant uniform heating of the interior of the device.

A suitable post or rest l2 in. the bottom of the device serves to support a crucible 13 within the furnaceor retort.

The bottom of the furnace or retort is inclined toward a discharge port 14: which extends through lining 2 and shell i. and terminates in a receptacle 14' which is in tight connection with the exterior of the furnace or retort. leceptacle'le is provided with a wall 15 of re brick, or other suitable material, and lined with metal or other suitable material 16. A cover 17 closely ts' over the top of the receptacle and is provided with a depending rod 18 of suitable material. Receptacle la serves to catch the .metal which escapes into the interior of the furnace or retort i-n case crucible 13 should break and by lifting up cover 17 and the rod 18 the contents of the receptacle which will adhere' to rod 18 may be withdrawn from the receptacle without any loss thereof. j

0n top of upper cap 3 is a ring 19 and above this ring is another ring 20. Between the two rings and secured thereto by bolts 21 is a funnel or charger 22, the inner or small end of which engages or rests on the top edge of the Crucible 13. Preferably the lower edge of the funnel is recessedy to permit a portion of the same to enter the mouth of -the Crucible whereby a close it of the two parts is obtained to prevent any flame from reaching the interior of the Crucible.

Funnel 22 extends from the top of the crucible to the top surface of ringl 19, conse- A uently it tends to hold within the device all the heat applied therein. 1t may be formed ofthe same material as the crucible, or any suitable material for the purpose. c

@n top of ring 2O is a cover or lid 23 which is hinged'at 24 to ring 20. Lugs 25 are secured to ring 20 and are hinged to lugs 26 by bolts 26', which latter lugs are secured to cap 3. A counterweight 27 is secured to ring 20. Cover 23 is secured 1n its closed position by a suitable lock 28 and a suitable lock 29 serves to secure rings 19 and 20 in their closed position on the furnace or retort. Lock 29 is shown in Fig. 1 as comprising a handle hinged to ring20 and depending therefrom. Nearits lower end is a laterally projecting lug 29a which is adapted to engage the lower surface of a lug 3a which projects outwardly from ring or cap 3, when the handle is forced toward the cap.

'llo charge the furnace or retort it is only necessary to raise lid 23 and fill up the crucible -with the material to be melted. Funnel 22 may be filled at the same time so that as the material in the Crucible melts that in the funnel will be added to it. At the same time the material in the Crucible is melting the material in the funnel will alsoV be heated by the heat within the furnace or retort since the funnel is within the latter. Consequently the material supplied from the funnel is practically at the melting point as it passes into the Crucible. By this arrangement enough material may be Charged into the furnace or retort to fill the Crucible when the melting process is comleted. ln case more material is to be added while the device is in operation it is only necessary to raise lid 23 to admit the charge. No heat is lost in this operation since funnel 22 covers the interior opening of the furnace or retort and completely excludes all escape of the heat except through exhaust due 9. To withdraw the Crucible itis niaaoeo only necessary to raise the unitary group of lid 23, rings 19'and 20 and funnel 22 on hinge 26 and the Crucible may be elevated out of the furnace or retort by tongs or other convenient tool.

llt is now apparent that the flame within the furnace or retort, due to the horizontal due 9, is uniformly distributed within the furnace and consequently uniformly heats the Crucible; that funnel 22 being wholly within the furnace prevents all Contact between the flame and the metal thereby preventing all oxidization of the metal and it prevents all loss of heat by obviating the necessity of opening the furnace 'to add more material in order to fill the- Crucible with molten metal and at the same time prevents all loss of heat in case lid 23 is raised for any purpose during the melting process. lt is also apparent that by manipulating valve 7 the flame may be directed to oppolsite sides of the furnace at intervals, thereby increasing the certainty of uniform heating of the Crucible and its contents and prolonging the life of the lining where the flame first strikes it. lin Figs. 3 and L l illustrate the application of my invention to a tilting furnace or retort in which oil is used as fuel. lin this type the furnace comprises a shell `3() having a suitable lire proof lining 31 in the bottom of which is a suitable post 32 for supporting the Crucible 33. rlhe Crucible is provided with an enlongated spout 34 which passes through an opening in the lining and shell, and through which the molten metal is discharged when the furnace is tilted. yNithin the Crucible and extending downwardly from the inner end of the upper side of the spout 34 is a septum 33a which extends across thecrucible and terminates above the bottom of the same. This septum serves as a means to require the molten metal in the bottom of the crucible to be discharged first through rthe spout when the furnace is tilted and to hold back any impurities on the top of the metal. Near the bottom of the furnace are two openings 35 in which are supported two oil burner tubes (not shown) which are controlled by a valve similar to the structure 7 illustrated in Fig. 1. To the bottom of the furnace is secured a receptacle 36 having a cover 37 closing the open end. A rod 38 of suitable material is carried by cover 37 and projects into'the receptacle. IA. passageway or port 39 connects receptacle 36 to the interior of the furnace and permits the contents of the Crucible to How into the receptacle should the Crucible break in operation, where the metal will cling to rod 38, by which the metal may be withdrawn from the receptacle., Suitable hollow blocks 40 project inwardly from the surface of lining 31 and serve to hold Crucible 33 in position when the furnace is tilted. The furnace is rotatably supported on standards 41 by spindles and bearings 42, and any suitable means for rotating the furnace on said standards will suiice. In Fig. 4 I show a worm gear connection 42 between crank shaft 43 and the furnace by which the latter may be rotated. The top of orucible 33 is preferably iush with the top of the lining surrounding it, and in Contact with the lining and crucible is a hinged portin composed of Va shell 44 and lining 45 similar to shell' 30 and lining 3l. Lining 45 is provided with a horizontal annular discharge flue 46 having a discharge port 47 to outside air and ports 48 in lining 45 connect the Hue with the interior of the hinged portion. On the top of the shell 44 and lining 45 is suitably secured a cap ring 49 and above ring 49 and Ysecured thereto are other rings 50 and 51. Between rings 50 and 51 is-secured a funnel 52, the lower edge of which makes contact with theupper edge of the crucible. The lower surface of the lining 45 contacts with the upper surface of lining 31. Secured to ring 51 is a hopper 53 having a door 54 in its side through which door material to be melted is inserted into the hopper, funnel and crucible. The connection between the valve to control the burners and the fuel supply line will be flexible to permit the rotation of the parts as the furnace is tilted.

In the tilting furnace just described the hinged portion is only elevated on its hinge 55 when the crucible is to be removed or inserted. The same saving in heat, uniformity of heating and non 'oxidizing features and all the other advantages are present as in the stationary furnace above de scribed.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I illustrate the application of my invention to a tilting furnace or retort in which coke is used as fuel. In this furnace or retort there is casing 60 and fire brick lining 61 and in the bottom portion the grate 62, above which' crucible 63 is supported, the fuel being supplied between, the lining and crucible as is now the usual practice. Near the topof lining 61 is a horizontally disposed channel 64 which is connected to hollow trunnion 65 by port 66, which port is provided in lining 6l and casing 60. A suitable pipe 67 is supported in hollow trunnion 64 and leads to a suitable blower 68, which blower is adapted to be driven by any suitable power mechanism, as electric motor 69. vOn, the bottom of casing 60 is fixed a box or pit 70 having doors 71 on its lower side, a suitable opening 72 being provided in the bottom of the furnace beneath grate 62 to establish communication between the interior of the furnace and pit 70. A suitable number' of vertical channels or Hues 73 are provided in lining 61 which lead from channel 64 to pit 70 by which air blown into channel 64 by blower 68v is conducted under pressure into pit and from it through grate 62 into the interior of the furnace thereby creating a forced draft for the combustion of the coke. The furnace is rotatably supported by trunnions 65 and 7 3 on standards 74, the standards being suitably mounted. In the drawing I show the standards, the blower and motor mounted on a truck by which the entire device may be transported from place to place at will. The furnace may be rotated on standards 74 in any convenient manner, as by worm gearing 75 and crank 76. Crucible 63 is provided with a spout 6'3a which rests in a suitable opening formed in lining 61 and extends to the exterior of the furnace. The upper edge or top of the crucible is preferably flush with the top of 'the casing. Resting on the top of the lower section of the' furnace just described and hingedl at 77 to the same is a portion 78. This portion is composed of a casing 79 and lining 80 similar to casing 60 and lining 61 and is provided with a preferably tapered central opening 8l. A horizontal exhaust Hue 82 is provided in lining 80 which has connection to the exterior air by port 83 formed in lining 80 and casing 79 and has connec; tion also by a suitable number of ports 84 with opening 81. On the top of the lining 80 is a flat ring 85 and above this ring is another ring 86. Between the two rings is secured the outer flange of a charging funnel 87, the lower end of which makes closel contact with the upper edge of crucible 63, in the closed position. A lid 88 is hinged at 89 to ring 86 and a counter weight 90 is fixed to ring 86. 4The group consisting of ring 85, 86, funnel 87 and lid 88 are hinged at 91 to casing 79, whereby the group may be elevated on said hinge to withdraw or insert the crucible and insert fuel. The lid 88 is independently movable to insert material to be melted and this, due to funnel 87, is accomplished without releasing any of the heat within the furnace. Funnel 87 also tity of material which when melted will fill 'crucible 63 with all the advantages before described. All the advantages are present with the application of my invention to this type of furnace or retort as are present in the preceding types above described.

In each case, above described, the funnel is within the combustion chamber of the device and performs the same function in each. It has the further advantage of preventing the escape from lthe crucible of any part of the material into the combustion chamber. It is further apparent that no oxygen from the air can enter the crucible during the process of melting to oxidize the metal. rIhe metal cannot absorb any of the oxygen of the air and hence a purer quality of metal is produced than has heretofore been possible, y whereby better castings can be made from the metal. l

ln the use of the air blast-coke burning furnace above described the air is conducted, as stated, through Channel 6.4 and vertical flues or conduits 73 into pit 70. rlhe air is thereby thoroughly dried as it passes through said channels to the great advantage of the operation of the device. lt is further apparent that since the exhaust is solely at the side of the device rather than at the top, as is now the common practice, the attendant can operate the device with greater ease and comfort than has been heretofore possible.

l contemplate applying my invention to @all types of metal melting furnaces or retorts to which the same may be applicable, hence l do not wish to be limited to the-precise details of construction and arrangement above described.4

lll/'hat li claim is:

l. ln a device-of the class described, the combination of a furnace casing, a Crucible supported above the bottom of the casing, a combustion Chamber, and a charging member supported by the walls of the casing and tiltable thereon and making Contact at its lower end with the top of the Crucible, for preventing the escape of heat from the Combustion chamber through the top of the device.

2. ln a device of the Class described the combination of a furnace casing, a Crucible supported within the Casing, a funnelshaped member tiltably supported on the casing and making contact at its lower end with the top of the Crucible, substantially as described.

- 3. ln a device ofthe Class described, the combination of a furnace casing, a Crucible supported within the Casing, a hollow member making contact at its lower end with the top of the Crucible and having a flared top and flange which extends over the top of the Casing, two fiat rings secured to opposite sides of the flange and hinged to theV casing, and a cover hinged to one of the dat rings.

It. ln a device of the class described, the combination of afurnace casing, a Crucible supported within the casing, a charging funnel-shaped member having its lower end ,in Contact with the top of the Crucible and having a laterally projecting annular flange at lits upper edge which extends over the top of the casing, means secured to the ange 'and hinged to the casing -for tilting the member, a cover hinged to the latter means, and a horizontally disposed cylindrical Hue iri the casing wall above the Crucible having communication with the interior of the furnace and with the outside air, and surrounding the member.

5. rllhe combination of a furnace casing, a Crucible supported within the casing, a charging funnel tiltably supported on the Casing and making Contact at its lower end with the top of the Crucible, a cover for the mouth of the funnel having a hinged Connection to the casing, a combustion Chamber between the casing and the Crucible and a horizontally disposed flue within the casing wall having communication with outside air and with the combustion chamber.

6. rlhe Combination with a tiltable furnace Casing of a Crucible suitably supported within the casing, the Crucible having a spout which projects through the Casing to the outside, a second Casing hinged to the top of the first named casing and provided with a horizontally disposed flue within its wall having communication with outside air and with the interior of both casings, a charging funnel carried by the second casing and making contact at its lower end with the top of the Crucible and a cover for the mouth of the funnel.

7. The combination with a furnace Casing having an opening in its bottom, a grate over the opening, a Crucible supported on the grate, a charging funnel having ahinged Connection to the casing andpmaking contact at its lower end with the top of the funnel', a due horizontally disposed and having Communicationa with outside air and with the interior of the casing above the Crucible,

a flue horizontally disposed in the casing wall and having Communication with the outside of the casing, and a plurality of vertically disposed iiues in the casing wall having communication with the last mentioned horizontal flue and with the opening in the bottom of the casing for supplying la kdraft of air to the interior ofthe casing.

ln witness whereof l hereunto sign my name in the presence of two witnesses this 9th dayl of August, 1911.

MAURlClE GOLDBERGER.

Vitnesses:

HELEN F. GLENN, Eitwrn M. linnen. 

